Transferrin receptor 2 (TfR2) is a newly discovered iron metabolism protein. New findings indicate that in addition to the ability of TfR2 to mediate iron uptake by the liver cells, TfR2 is important in regulation of iron absorption in the small intestine via controlling synthesis and release of hepcidin. The studies have also demonstrated that mutation in the human transferrin receptor 2 gene is one of the causes for hereditory hemochormatosis.